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We knew Bleach DS was going to be special but even so, we’re quite frankly blown away by the quality of the final product. Treasure has undoubtedly done it again, producing a game that offers irresistible action as well as long-term appeal. If you count yourself as a fighting game fan then you simply must pick this game up; if the genre has never interested you in the past then this could be the ideal opportunity to give it a chance.

In the long run, though, these are relatively minor quibbles. Bleach: The Blade of Fate is not quite a classic, and it'll never rank alongside Tekken, Street Fighter or Guilty Gear, but it's honestly difficult to find many flaws. It's got a good learning curve, a wide range of characters, proper story modes, audio seemingly pulled direct from the series, beautifully animated graphics and it mixes up battles in a few surprising new ways. It's good for a solo player, and with the addition of single-cart download play and Internet play, it's got a solid multiplayer base. You don't even need to be a Bleach fan to appreciate it. In short, if you're in the mood for a fighting game, you could do a lot worse than Blade of Fate, and it certainly stands up as one of the top fighting games around right now. You can feel safe paddling your toes in these foamy waters.

Unless you’ve imported the Jump Superstar games from Japan, the DS has been pretty starved for a good fighter. Enter Bleach: The Blade of Fate. The game delivers great gameplay and superb graphics with plenty of single player game modes like arcade, versus, and challenge. Add in a plethora of multiplayer options, and you’ve got a great game that will appeal to fans and strangers of the Bleach franchise. What more could you ask for in a pocket fighter?

Honestly I'm not really into all the manga-nonsense and also the adventurous life of the rusty main character Ichigo Kurosaki can't interest me one bit. What I do know is that the DS finally has a fight game it can be proud of; good visuals and sound, accessible but at the same time deep gameplay, a lot of content and a reasonable multiplayer. In short: food for anyone longing for a portable fight.

If you’re going to take the time to customize your deck and play through the story unlocking the hidden extras, then there is no reason not to buy Bleach. If you’re looking for a portable fighting title then again, buy away. The only reason not to buy Bleach: The Blade of Fate is if you’re not the genre’s fan. It’s got enough depth, replayability and overall shine to warrant a purchase from anyone with a DS. The dialogue may be a bit tedious and shoddy, but it’s got everything that a title of its nature should have. Plenty of varied characters and fast paced, flesh on flesh action. A solid effort and worthy of your hard earned cash.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate marries an anime license with exquisite construction for a truly memorable gaming experience. So, gamers, it's time to drop that air of superiority, get off those high horses and come on down to try out what might be the best fighter on the DS. You're missing out on a classic Treasure title if you can't get past the outer anime coating to taste that sweet, satisfying center of outstanding gameplay.

Bleach: The Blade of Fate is a game that could be stripped of its anime roots and still be a great fighter. Whether you're a fan of the series or of the genre (or both!) you're in for a treat. The solid combat system is decorated with tons of playable characters, modes and unlockables as well as gorgeous visuals and authentic audio, with very little in the way of noticeable flaws. If 2D fighters have never really been your cup of tea, then there's very little to change your mind here, but for everyone else – we heartily recommend this product!

Even with a story mode that needs some working on in terms of clarity, and a few glaring omissions from the roster (where’s Ikkaku, Matsumoto, Yumichika, and Hisagi?), Bleach: Blade of Fate is still one of the best handheld fighters available. Bleach fans will only be left with wanting more characters (which the sequel promises), and fighter fans shouldn’t look away just because it's an anime title. Though, Bleach fans who want more of their favorite characters to use and are thinking of waiting for the sequel probably shouldn't. Considering the localization time for Blade of Fate (and considering that the American broadcast version isn't anywhere near the storyline that the sequel holds) the next installment is quite a way off, and this game is here now! So all is well.

Bleach is an above average fighting game that uses the full capabilities of the Nintendo DS. While the storyline will only captivate anime fans, the vast amount of gameplay features in the single player mode and the solid structure of multiplayer will give fighting fans a plethora of play time. Compared to the rest of the genre, Bleach: The Blade of Fate is easily the best fighter on the Nintendo DS and is worth the retail price for any fan of anime or 2-D fighting games.

To say it's one for the fans is probably damning it with faint praise. But it's fair to say that as much as you don't go to Wii for a hex-based Battle of the Bulge simulator, you don't come to DS for a hardcore beat-'em-up. That said, if you're prepared to ignore its shortcomings and get to know it, there's an approachable beat-'em-up in here, even if it yields to your whim far too easily.